Sigmoid-shaped horizontal wellbore drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vertically-oriented wells face limitations in drilling efficiency due to limited motive force, geographic constraints, and high hydrostatic pressure requirements, which can prevent the reach of hydrocarbon reservoirs and necessitate costly artificial lift methods.
Innovation Solution
The development of sigmoid-shaped horizontally-oriented wells with a downward curving and upward curving wellbore trajectory, allowing for a higher motive force application and reduced hydrostatic pressure, enabling longer horizontal wellbore sections and eliminating the need for tall drilling rigs and pump jacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If vertically-oriented wells are drilled using traditional vertical drilling rigs, then the drilling process can be performed with standard equipment, but the motive force acting on the drill bit is limited due to the weight of the drill string
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional vertical drilling approach by implementing horizontal drilling. Instead of applying motive force vertically downward through the weight of the drill string, the system applies motive force horizontally through a vehicle that travels along the ground surface, pushing the drill string into the wellbore. This inversion of the drilling orientation fundamentally changes how motive force is applied and enables significantly higher forces to be delivered to the drill bit.
2Length of moving object
If vertically-oriented horizontal wells are drilled to reach distant hydrocarbon reservoirs, then the reach of the well can be extended, but the hydrostatic pressure required to lift fluids to the surface increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical well construction to horizontal well construction by changing the primary dimension of wellbore orientation. Instead of drilling vertically downward and then turning horizontal, the system drills horizontally from the surface, maintaining a horizontal trajectory throughout the wellbore. This dimensional change from vertical to horizontal orientation dramatically reduces the hydrostatic pressure head that must be overcome to lift fluids to the surface, eliminating the need for artificial lift devices.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional vertical wells are used, then standard drilling rigs can be employed, but tall drilling rigs and pump jacks are required which are not suitable for restricted locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional vertical drilling configuration by implementing horizontal drilling. Instead of requiring tall drilling rigs that extend vertically from the ground, the system uses a horizontally-oriented drill string that is pushed into the wellbore by a vehicle traveling along the ground surface. This inversion eliminates the need for tall equipment structures, reducing the height profile to near-ground level and enabling deployment in restricted locations such as urban areas, environmentally sensitive zones, and locations with overhead obstructions.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are systems and methods for drilling a horizontally-oriented well having a sigmoid-shaped wellbore including an upper sigmoid portion having a downward curving wellbore trajectory and a lower sigmoid portion having an upward curving wellbore trajectory. The upper sigmoid portion having a first trajectory having a generally horizontal gradient at an entry point of the wellbore and that increases in downward gradient to a vertical gradient at an inflection point. The lower sigmoid portion having a second trajectory that includes the vertical gradient at the inflection point and that decreases in downward gradient to a generally horizontal gradient at a horizontal transition point of the wellbore.